I admit I've been struggling (and having a cold has not helped). I was perhaps a bit too focused on examining contemporary ornament. A look at more traditional forms of ornament has re-stimulated my interest in the subject. These are the details that enrich architectural design in their physical form but also symbolic meaning.
What went wrong:
The demise of architectural ornament was
its overuse. As ornament became a
commodity, it lost its value. Its worth
was overlooked. At the same time, the
rise of the industrial revolution reduced the architect’s palette to a
catalogue of materials. While contemporary
architecture addresses mass customization over production, today’s efforts to
reintroduce ornament into architectural design have yet to understand the
restraint required for it to resonate with the user. Sprawling ornament simply becomes white noise.
What to do:
Beyond visual delight, ornament ought to
be used selectively and provide identity, utility and articulation of the
building. By achieving this tripartite combination as well as limiting its pervasiveness, architectural ornament can reclaim its potency. What comes to mind is an ornamental acupuncture.
Strategies working towards Ornament:
Identity
- create a holistic environment
- provide a unique character
- reflect specific place and context
Utility
- merge ornament with function
- identify possible interconnections between them
- add a didactic dimension
Articulation
- choice in material
- the technology used (craft)
- placement
